Friday
All packed up on Thursday afternoon which made leaving early by tube to meet Steve Weiman very easy. I’m excited to have a weekend away with the guys. It’s been a year since we all last met up and a combination of exercise and laughs makes it a date to look forward to.
I stopped off at Waitrose Rickmansworth to buy some grub and then promptly took the long way round to arrive at Steve’s house. By the time I arrived with the rucksack on my back I felt exhausted.
Steve picked up Matt and then we made a slow way up to Chapel-en-le-Firth (Chapel) and the Peak District. Friday afternoon traffic made the M1 a stop start affair.
The Royal Oak Hotel
We parked in the hotel car park and you could immediately see the lack of investment in the infrastructure. We entered the bar and almost the first thing the Kurdish proprietor asked for was the balance of the cost of the stay.
The old fashioned decor with its dark walls and heavy furniture reminded me of a pub from my youth. We climbed the stairs to our rooms and found them in a similar state of decay. A 20 year old TV two ugly pictures on the wall and plastic chairs. The bed linen just made it to the edge of the bed.
Friday evening
The campers, Steve, Garry, Nick and Jon, wanted to go to the nearest pub to them, The Beehive Inn, and we agreed but we had to wait until Ian Chapman arrived. We walked out of the hotel to look for a place to drink and very fortunately found a bar called The Old Cell.
We received a warm welcome in a busy small bar. Outside it said “Small Bar. Big Beers” and that summed up the character of the ex-police station. The proprietor had a smile on her face as she chatted with the locals and anyone who ventured in. As a bonus they brewed their own excellent beer and sold some excellent whisky at very reasonable prices.
Ian arrived and we had another drink before Steve drove us. The 2 miles to the Beehive.
I had booked a table for 8 and the campers had already settled in at the table and started their session. Greeting friends that you have known for decades presents no problems and we soon started laughing about ridiculous things. The pub presented good pub food a cheerful atmosphere with those ingredients and old friends it isn’t difficult to have an enjoyable evening.
Saturday walk
Garry had discovered a circular walk that started from Edale a minute drive for us. We set off to arrive at 10:30. We entered Eddale to find that the main car park full to the brim and then drive round the corner to the station car park. No marked places remained but Ian managed to squeeze into a spot that didn’t hinder anyone else.
As we got the final bits of gear on it started to rain and became heavier and heavier. The campers also found it difficult to find parking and they ended up much further away. We waited in the pouring rain while until they joined us. I felt very satisfied that the gear I wore kept all the rain on the outside and I remained perfectly dry.
As we set of the downpour eased and we began to make our way up the hill, first through the village of Edale and then into open country. We passed through a small copse and then came to a footpath junction. We started up one way, then another and then Garry tried a third. Eventually the group decided to abandon Garry’s original plan and make our way up to Kinder Scout.
The path became very easy to follow and tracked a fast running mountain stream. Initially we climbed slowly on a fairly flat track, but as we rose the route became rockier and involved clambering over large rocks. At one point Steve slipped and fell backwards. I thought he might have severely hurt himself, but after a moment of recovering from the shock he rose and said he felt ok.
We walked on with Steve lagging behind until we arrived at the steep ascent to the top of Kinder Scout. Steve and Matt decided immediately to turn back. Garry told me that after the long sharp climb it would take 3 hours to return. I decided that to turn back with Ian so the 4 hotel guest would descend and the 4 campers, including Steve would plough on.
Our group made our way cautiously downwards with Steve at the back. We arrived at the bottom where stopped for a pint at the xxxxx in Edale. I rang Garry after ten minutes inside the pub and he said they would be back in 15 minutes. I felt a little bit cheated as I would have gone to the top of I’d known the return was that easy.
Saturday Evening
After a shower and a little relaxation the Chapel group walked across the road to the Old Cell again for our pre-meal drink. A packed bar greeted us, luckily as we came away from the bar a couple stood up and we grabbed their table. The campers joined us later. Two locals joined us in conversation and suggested a walk for the next day starting at Combs and The Beehive Inn.
We all crossed the road to Deacon Bank, our evening restaurant, recommended by the Old Cell owner. We had a superb meal. I chose the pork belly option which tasted great. I did ask for additional sauce which provided a delicious lemon flavour contrast to the fatty meat cut.
Sunday walk
The campers returned to the Beehive in for their breakfast. We met up with them there and set off for our Sunday walk. We had none of the crowds associated with the route up to Kinder Scout and we climbed alone up the path. We walked for approximately 90 minutes which included two up hill sections and one level. At this point Ray, Steve and Ian left the walk and headed back down. Ina had to go because he needed to return home for an early flight out tomorrow, while Ray and Steve just didn’t fancy any further walking.
We looked ahead and the next ascent seemed quite daunting. In the end the steep rise was quite short and we made it to the top without much difficulty. While we needed to bear round to the right to follow the escarpment that would lead us back to our starting point on the circular route, we actually turned left. Along this route we followed the edge on the inside of a dry stone wall. After another hour I suggested we stop for a break and we all sat down for a snack.
All the time as we walked along the top of the escarpment our footing was slightly precarious, we couldn’t always see where we placed our feet. Sometimes the ground gave way because a stone rolled over or my foot sunk into boggy land. This didn’t present a problem while we walked inside the wall but the path then switched to the outside of the wall with a significant drop just to our left. I felt a little more wary from that point on. At several places the path dropped steeply down and then rose just as steeply upwards as we crossed a gully in the hillside.
At one point we arrived at the huts for grouse shooting, luckily inactive as we passed by. But everything around the huts was well groomed for the wealthy clientele. The route continued along the edge and at one point because quite close for several hundred metres. I wasn’t keen.
At last the path widened out and at moved away from the drop. We then arrived at the end of our high position and then suddenly dropped down to a road and quickly made our way down hill to the campers tents where we found Ray.
After a little messing around Ray drove Matt and I back to the hotel where we found Steve working on his computer and I had a quick half before going upstairs and a reasonable lie down to recover.
Sunday evening
We drove back to the Beehive for our supper and found the campers already stuck into their drinks. We had a pleasant meal. I had artisan sauces and mash with some vegetables on the side. Nothing special happened but a few laughs and a pleasant time.
By 9 o’clock we had had enough we said our goodbyes to the campers and drove back to the Royal Oak which we found all locked up. Steve and Matt wanted a night cap so they set off for the Old Cell bar where they found a quiz night in progress while I ascended to my room and turned the lights out at 10:30.
Monday and back
I woke at 7 am and read my emails etc started this diary and then arrived at breakfast at 8:30. I had already packed so after breakfast I had everything prepared to go. We eventually left around 10:15.
A very simple journey back. Steve dropped Matt of first where I had a brief encounter with Helen showing her recent finger surgery all bandaged up. Steve then drove me home and I said goodbye.
All in all a very, very nice weekend away in the fresh air with a familiar bunch of guys and a few laughs on the way.